Private 3-Day Southern Taiwan Tour (Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting)

Southern Taiwan packs a lot into three days. This private tour links Kaohsiung, Kenting, and Tainan with high-speed rail, an air-conditioned vehicle, guided sightseeing, two hotel nights, and the entrance fees you would otherwise need to arrange yourself. I like the efficient route and the chance to see both Taiwan’s coastal scenery and its oldest city without changing hotels every night. I also like the private format, since only your own group joins the tour.

The main drawback is the pace. You will cover long distances and make several short stops, so this suits you if you want a broad first look rather than a slow, deeply focused visit. At $1,095 per person, the price is also high, though much of the cost goes toward private transport, rail tickets, lodging, admissions, and a guide.

Key points to know before booking

• High-speed rail saves precious time: You travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung in about 90 minutes, then return from Tainan to Taipei by train.
• Cijin adds a local touch: The ferry ride and tricycle rickshaw outing bring a little old-fashioned charm to the Kaohsiung day.
• Kenting is a scenic sampler: Maopitou, Eluanbi, and Longpan Park show off the southern coast, but each stop is brief.
• Tainan supplies the historical weight: Chihkan Tower, Anping Fort, and Anping Tree House reveal layers of Dutch, Chinese, and later commercial history.
• The tour is genuinely private: Your group alone takes part, which makes the schedule easier to manage than a large coach outing.
• Bring cash and good shoes: Meals are not included, many small eateries may not accept cards, and some walking is involved.

Why this three-day route works

I like the way the tour uses different types of transport for different parts of the trip. The high-speed train gets you quickly from Taipei to southern Taiwan, while the private vehicle handles the spread-out sights around Kaohsiung, Kenting, and Tainan.

You do not spend the first day trapped in a long road transfer from Taipei. Instead, the train takes roughly an hour and a half to Kaohsiung, where a driver waits at the station. From there, the tour moves by road between sights, then finishes with another high-speed train from Tainan back to Taipei.

The route also gives each day a clear character. Kaohsiung is the urban and cultural introduction, Kenting brings coastal scenery and open space, and Tainan focuses on Taiwan’s past. I find that variety useful for a short visit.

The tradeoff is that this is an overview tour. Stop times range from 20 minutes to 90 minutes, and the itinerary leaves little room for spontaneous wandering. You will see many important places, but you will not linger at each one.

Day 1: From Taipei to Kaohsiung

Your first morning begins with the high-speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung. The rail journey is included in standard class, and it is the practical backbone of the trip. Your driver meets you at the destination station, removing the usual worry about finding a rental car, arranging a taxi, or working out local transfers.

Fo Guang Shan

The first major stop is Fo Guang Shan, a large Buddhist monastery founded by Master Hsing Yun in 1967. Its most visible feature is the huge gold statue of Amitabha Buddha, which can be seen from a considerable distance.

The scheduled visit lasts about an hour. That gives you time to take in the scale of the site and learn about its religious meaning, but it is not enough for a full exploration of a large monastery complex. I would pay close attention to the guide here, since the cultural explanation is one of the tour’s strongest potential benefits.

One particularly useful part of the guiding is the explanation of Buddhism and Taoism. A clear comparison can help you understand what you are seeing at temples and religious sites across Taiwan, rather than treating every statue and ritual as part of one general tradition.

Pier-2 Art Centre

The tour then heads into Kaohsiung for a short walk at Pier-2 Art Centre. The site began as an abandoned pier warehouse area and was later reworked into an arts district.

You have around 30 minutes here. That is enough for a quick look at the public art and converted industrial spaces, but not enough to explore every corner. I like this stop because it breaks up the religious and historic sightseeing with something modern and urban.

The short timing also means you should keep moving and listen for the meeting instructions. This is not a free afternoon at Pier-2.

Cijin Island by ferry and tricycle

Next comes the ferry to Cijin Island, one of the more distinctive parts of the day. The ferry ride is included, as is a tricycle rickshaw experience through Cijin Old Street.

The island visit lasts about 90 minutes and includes access to sights such as the historic fortress, lighthouse, and nearby coastal points. The rickshaw ride gives the stop a nostalgic feel and offers a simple way to cover ground without turning the visit into a long walk.

This is also a place where the private setup helps. Your own group can stay together easily, and the guide can connect the lighthouse and fort with the island’s past. Comfortable shoes still matter, since the tour includes walking in addition to the rickshaw ride.

Liuhe Tourist Night Market

The first day ends at Liuhe Tourist Night Market, where you have about 90 minutes to eat. Dinner is not included, so you choose and pay for your own food.

This is a practical arrangement for a night market. You can spend according to your appetite and try local snacks rather than being tied to a set restaurant menu. Bring cash. The tour specifically advises carrying enough for meals, drinks, souvenirs, tips, and other personal spending, since convenience stores and many eateries do not accept credit cards.

After a full day that began in Taipei, the night market is a lively finish. Just remember that the schedule is fixed, so this is a chance to sample rather than conduct a serious food crawl.

Day 2: Kenting’s coast and the southern tip

Day two begins after breakfast with the drive to Kenting National Park. Breakfast is included for both mornings of the tour, while lunch and dinner are not.

Kenting is presented as a destination for surfers and divers, but this tour concentrates on coastal sights and natural formations. It gives you a taste of the park without requiring a separate full-day plan.

Kenting National Park

The general Kenting visit lasts about an hour before the tour moves on to specific viewpoints and sites. The park is Taiwan’s first national park and is known for coastal geology and scenery.

The broad park stop provides context, while the following visits give you more focused views. I would think of this day as a scenic sampler. If your main goal is swimming, surfing, or a long nature walk, this schedule may feel too brief.

Maopitou Park

Maopitou means cat’s nose, referring to a rock formation that looks like a crouching cat from a distance. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and admission is included.

That is a quick photo stop, not a hike. It works well for a private tour that is trying to show several parts of the coast in one day, but you should not expect a long visit or much time to explore beyond the viewpoint.

Eluanbi Lighthouse

The Eluanbi stop lasts about 40 minutes. The lighthouse was built during the Qing Dynasty and was later counted among the Eight Views of Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period.

This is one of the more meaningful stops in Kenting because it combines scenery with a clear historical purpose. The lighthouse marks the southern tip area and gives the day a strong sense of place.

A short hike near the lighthouse is part of the experience. Wear shoes with a decent grip and expect some walking rather than simply stepping off the vehicle for a photograph.

Longpan Park

Longpan Park sits on a coral limestone tableland facing the Pacific Ocean. Rainwater has shaped the ground over time, producing an exposed, open setting.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes and has no separate admission charge. I like the change in mood here. After the more defined points at Maopitou and Eluanbi, Longpan gives you a wider view and a chance to appreciate the forces that shaped the coast.

Again, the time is limited. The value lies in seeing several different coastal formations in one organized day, not in taking a long walk through the park.

Hengchun Old Town

On the return toward Kaohsiung, the tour stops at Hengchun Ancient City Gate for about 30 minutes. Hengchun is known for its preserved city walls, which have surrounded the town for more than a century.

This brief visit adds a layer of local history to a day otherwise focused on nature. The old gate also helps explain that southern Taiwan is more than beaches and scenic overlooks.

The route then returns to Kaohsiung for the second hotel night. Since dinner is not included, you will again need cash and your own plan for food.

Day 3: Tainan, Taiwan’s old capital

The final day heads to Tainan, described as Taiwan’s oldest city and its former capital. This is the day I would most value if your interests lean toward temples, colonial-era buildings, and the story of Taiwan’s early trade and foreign rule.

The three Tainan visits are close enough to form a coherent historical morning, but the timing remains tight. Each stop lasts about 40 minutes.

Chihkan Tower, or Fort Provintia

Chihkan Tower is the first Tainan stop. The site is tied to the old capital’s long history and its changing political and cultural influences.

You have 40 minutes here, enough for a guided introduction and a look at the buildings and grounds. The guide’s explanation matters because the site is easier to appreciate when you understand how Tainan developed as an important center.

This is not simply an old building to photograph. It is one of the places where Tainan’s mixture of local, Chinese, and European influences becomes easier to see.

Anping Fort, or Fort Zeelandia

The tour continues to Anping Fort, also known as Fort Zeelandia. The Dutch East India Company built it during its 38-year rule over western Taiwan.

The original fortress was nearly destroyed by the British, so what you see today reflects both the site’s colonial past and later changes. The 40-minute visit gives you a compact introduction to the Dutch period and Anping’s role in Taiwan’s early international trade.

I appreciate having this site paired with Chihkan Tower. Together, they show that Tainan’s story is not limited to one dynasty or one architectural style.

Anping Tree House

The final stop is Anping Tree House, once a warehouse belonging to the former Tait and Co. Merchant House. After years of abandonment, banyan trees grew through and around the structure.

You have another 40 minutes here. The combination of brick, timber, and tree roots makes it visually different from the fort sites. It is also a good final stop because you can see how an old commercial building changed over time without losing its sense of place.

From Tainan, the included high-speed train returns you to Taipei in standard class. The tour ends with the convenience of rail rather than another long road journey.

What the $1,095 price really covers

At $1,095 per person, this is not a budget trip. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: a private air-conditioned vehicle, professional guide, both high-speed rail journeys, two nights of hotel accommodation, breakfast on two mornings, admission fees, the Cijin ferry, the tricycle rickshaw ride, and insurance.

You also pay for saved time. Planning this route yourself would mean coordinating train tickets, station pickups, regional transport, hotels, admissions, and several guided visits. The private vehicle is especially useful in Kenting, where the coastal sights are spread out.

Still, you should compare the price with your group size and comfort needs. A private tour can offer good value for a family or small group that wants direct transport and a single guide. A solo guest pays the full per-person rate and may find the cost harder to justify.

Standard hotel rooms usually contain two single beds or one double bed for two people. Twin-share accommodation places two people in one standard room, while private accommodation provides one person with a standard room at an additional cost. Odd-numbered groups may be placed in a triple room or have one person assigned a private room, depending on availability.

Pace, walking, meals, and practical details

The tour is private, so only your group participates. That gives you a calmer experience than a large coach trip, although it does not turn the itinerary into a flexible custom tour. The listed stops and short visit times still shape each day.

A small amount of walking is involved, including the short hike near the Eluanbi lighthouse and movement around forts, parks, and cultural sites. Comfortable shoes are a sensible choice.

Lunch and dinner are not included. Breakfast is included on both mornings, but you should carry enough cash for the remaining meals, drinks, tips, and purchases. Credit cards are not accepted at many small eateries and convenience stores.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour information lists the location as Taichung, while the transport plan describes pickup and return from Taipei. I would confirm the exact pickup point before paying, especially if you are staying outside Taipei.

You can cancel for a full refund at least six full days before the start time. A cancellation made two to six full days before departure receives a 50 percent refund, and cancellations less than two full days ahead are not refunded.

Who should book this Southern Taiwan tour?

I would choose this tour if you have only three days, want to keep your hotel changes to a minimum, and prefer having transport and sightseeing arranged in advance. It is especially useful for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to southern Taiwan without navigating regional buses or hiring separate guides.

It also suits families and small groups that value privacy. The private vehicle, included rail tickets, and station pickup remove several points of friction.

I would hesitate if you want long visits at museums, extended time in Kenting National Park, or a relaxed food-focused trip. The schedule is active, and each stop is designed to give you a useful glimpse rather than a full exploration.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is efficient coverage. In three days, you see Kaohsiung’s religious and creative sides, Cijin Island, Kenting’s southern coast, Hengchun’s old gate, and Tainan’s major historic sites.

Skip it if you already know these cities or prefer independent travel with plenty of unscheduled time. For the right group, the price buys convenience, a private guide, and a well-connected route. The biggest strength is not any single attraction. It is the way the tour makes a large area of Taiwan manageable in a very short visit.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The transport plan describes round-trip transfer from Taipei. The tour information also lists Taichung as the location, so confirm the exact pickup details before booking.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately three days and includes two nights of hotel accommodation.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the tour.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a one-way high-speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung, a one-way high-speed train from Tainan to Taipei, and the Cijin ferry.

Are hotel stays included?

Yes. Two nights of standard hotel accommodation are included.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included for both mornings. Lunch and dinner are not included.

Which destinations does the tour visit?

The route includes Kaohsiung, Kenting, and Tainan, with visits to Cijin Island, Hengchun, and several historic and coastal sites.

Is the tricycle rickshaw ride included?

Yes. A tricycle rickshaw experience in Cijin is included.

What type of hotel room is provided?

Standard rooms usually have two single or twin beds, or one double bed for two people. Twin-share rooms are for two people, while private single accommodation costs extra.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least six full days before the experience begins. Cancellations made two to six full days ahead receive a 50 percent refund, while cancellations less than two full days before the start time are not refunded.